eB4CAST: An Evidence-Based Tool to Promote Dissemination and Implementation in Community-Based, Public Health Research

Preparing Infographics for Post-publication Promotion of Research on Social Media

Infographics are pictorial representations of information intended to disseminate information quickly and clearly. Their use has increased in the past decade due to wider and easy access to technology. Infographics are being increasingly used for public advisories, disseminating protocols for healthcare professionals, and post-publication promotion of research. Due to their potential to rapidly reach a vast audience, these have gained larger importance during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Two key aspects determine the quality of infographics, content and visual appeal. In this brief, the authors attempt to delineate the key aspects of designing an infographic, and the freeware that they may have at their disposal for creating informative, appealing, and useful infographics.

How to make your research jump off the page: Co-creation to broaden public engagement in medical research

Nina Finley and co-authors discuss public involvement in planning and reporting medical research.

Rapid Dissemination of College Food Insecurity Findings in A Multi-Institutional Study Using the eB4CAST Approach

The sharing of college food insecurity data with higher education administrators and stakeholders is essential to increase awareness of campus-specific food insecurity outcomes. This study utilized the evidence-Based forecast C-capture, A-assemble, S-sustain, T-timelessness (eB4CAST) approach to develop campus-specific food insecurity reports for researchers involved in a multi-institutional food insecurity study. eB4CAST reports were developed for each higher education institution (n = 22). The reports were four pages of visual data that included details of the eB4CAST approach and the multi-institutional food insecurity study, campus demographics, an overview of college food insecurity, food insecurity prevalence estimates at all participating institutions, and student use and awareness of campus resources, as well as the campus-specific resources that are available. The interpretation and forecasted use of the reports were evaluated through a 17-item online survey. The survey was completed by 26 content experts and showed a favorable perception of the eB4CAST institutional report. A majority of participants strongly agreed that the eB4CAST food insecurity report was clear to understand (72%), it was easy to read (64%), the statistics were easy to interpret (80%), it shared valuable information (92%), and it was impactful to their work (80%). Further, 84% of participants found the overall information of the report to be relevant and sharable. Participants forecasted disseminating the reports primarily to administration (77%) and with other faculty and staff (85%). These findings highlight the projected usability of the visualized data eB4CAST report across many sectors of college food insecurity research, which may help disseminate rapid findings on this emerging issue and increase awareness.

eB4CAST Approach Improves Science Communication With Stakeholders in a College-Based Health Program

Communicating scientific results with community partners is often lacking in intervention programs, thus eB4CAST was developed to facilitate impact sharing. This article investigated using the eB4CAST dissemination tool to communicate impact from a campus-based obesity prevention program. Data from Get Fruved RCT university sites collected at baseline were used to generate eB4CAST reports. Experts (n = 13) and RCT sites (n = 15) were asked to provide feedback on eB4CAST reports based on appeal, understanding, and clarity. On all Likert items, participants rated above 7 on each (out of 10). Positive responses from open-ended questions included eB4CAST reports being clear, visually appealing, and aid in program understanding. Overall, eB4CAST was successful in relaying data and information for the Get Fruved program, thus a means for science communication that could be used in interventions. Utilizing infographics to report data and information is a feasible way to disseminate and communicate in a cost-effective, timely manner.